allies

To be honest, today, I don’t feel like writing.
There are many things going on in the world that I could write about:
Sloane Stephens’ come-from-behind win at the US Open and how she (and other female athletes) are making much less less in sponsorship than their male counterparts.
The … [Continue reading] I Can’t Today…

Last weekend, a good friend of mine was the only Black person at a wedding.
There was one guest there, a white woman, who was intent on making sure my friend understood that she “got it”; that she was an ally. She sought my friend out throughout the evening, on multiple occasions, and shared her … [Continue reading] The Subtleties of Racism

Welcome to week 4.
Happy Eid to all of our Muslim brothers and sisters!
Ramadan ended last night, and today is the first day of Eid Al-Fitr, which means ‘festival to break the fast’. It will continue until Tuesday, June 27th at sundown.
And if you’re (also) part of the LGBTQ community in … [Continue reading] Action – Part 4 of “How to be an Ally”

Serena Williams was confronted with (and responded to) racism through social media. You can read all about it here.
The subtlety of racism
Racism is often subtle. And as such it comes out of people’s mouths in ways that we often don’t catch:
“You’re not really Black.”
“I hope the baby doesn’t … [Continue reading] Serena Williams; Responding to Racism

This Wednesday April 12th is Day of Pink – the international day against bullying, discrimination, homophobia, transphobia and transmysogyny.
An act of support
It didn’t start out meaning to be a day recognized around the world; it started as an act meant to support one person. Jadrien Cota – … [Continue reading] Day of Pink – April 12

Last week I was part of many conversations about race and racism – in organizations, with the people in my life, in the community.
Race and racism are tricky to talk about. People feel cautious - even afraid – to say the wrong thing, or to be perceived as ignorant (or worse, as racist). The trouble … [Continue reading] Talking about Race & Racism

Marc Benioff is the CEO of Salesforce, and he is mad about Indiana's Religious Freedoms Law that recently passed - which would allow businesses to discriminate against LGBTQ people.
What happened, however, was that he is DOING something about it that speaks not just about his protest, but about … [Continue reading] What we can learn from Marc Benioff

If you live in the Toronto area, Happy Pride Week!
The rainbow flag is everywhere - a great opening to talk about LGBTQ issues.
Even sweeter this week is the US Supreme Court's ruling on same sex marriage - making it legal in 13 US states and DC. There are 30+ states in which it is still illegal, … [Continue reading] Happy Pride Week!

Every once in a while I'm touched by the commitment and compassion of an organization to make the world a better place and create spaces where people are and feel valued for who they are.
TD has been on my list of exemplary companies around LGBTQ issues, and the launch of their new "It Gets Better" … [Continue reading] Making things better for LGBTQ youth